Chicago Sun-Times Publishes Article Saying a Prostitute Sexually-Assaulted at Gunpoint is Not Rape but “Theft of Services”

Writer Mary Mitchell of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote an op-ed article arguing that sex workers cannot be raped, regarding a story in which a man was charged with aggravated sexual assault against a sex worker rather than theft of services.

According to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times, Roy Akins, 29, solicited a sex worker but couldn’t afford to pay her the agreed price of $180. After Akins couldn’t pay her:

The woman came to his home in the Austin neighborhood on Aug. 9, Akins walked upstairs, led her to a bedroom and then returned holding a gun and raped her, Assistant State’s Attorney Kim Przekota said at Akins’ bond hearing Thursday.

Mitchell said that the charges “mak[e] a mockery of rape victims” in that sexual innocence is what makes a rape victim. This is wrong. One’s “sexual innocence” does not make a victim. Being forced to have sex against one’s will constitutes rape. Mitchell’s argument is a shade close to blaming the victim.

Unfortunately, the way this case is being handled makes it look like sex trafficking is a legitimate business.

I’m not one of those women who believe rape victims are at fault because they dressed too provocatively or misled some randy guy into thinking it was his lucky night.

But when you agree to meet a strange man in a strange place for the purpose of having strange sex for money, you are putting yourself at risk for harm.

It’s tough to see this unidentified prostitute as a victim. And because this incident is being charged as a criminal sexual assault — when it’s actually more like theft of services — it minimizes the act of rape.

Mitchell is wrong and takes away the power and impact that rape has on the victim. If anything, Mitchell makes the mockery.